Muslim leaders said imams should be given the same benefits as Christian priests and ministers, The Local newspaper said Tuesday.

Swedish Minister for Higher Education and Research Lars Leijonborg said the program might help keep radical Islam from taking root in Sweden.

"It has been suggested that radical Muslims from Saudi Arabia are offering to provide imams for free and a lack of money means that moderate Muslims who want to set up a mosque don't have any alternatives," Leijonborg told Svenska Dagbladet.

He said the Swedish government has begun talks with the newly formed Islamic study foundation.